Republicans: Except for Paul, every candidate did well. Thompson stood out. Romney gave a more coherent explanation and defense of his (current) positions than anyone else, but the effect of being attacked by everyone probably hurt him.

Winner: Thompson Loser: Romney Also did well: Everyone else

Democrats: I was watching the debate on my DVR, and I thought “this is a meltdown.’ I wasn’t the only one. Clinton’s outburst was preceded by a joint Obama-Edwards attack on her, Barack calculating that his best chance is knocking out her machine, and Edwards thinknig that this best shoot is making himself (and not Hillary) the candidate of high-school educated voters.